...Holy shit, right? Thanks to @RichStanton and @EddieInzauto for the tipoff!

*

Okay, on with the show.

Super TIME Force(XBO, 360, PC): About halfway through this one from one of my
favorite developers, Capy Games. I've been a fan of these guys ever since Critter
Crunch (rainbow puke for LYFE, yo) and they have yet to disappoint me. If there's
a more consistent, reliable developer out there, I'd love to know who it is.

Anywho, TIME Force is a little hard to describe, but I think Capy’s own phrase
"single player co-op" kind of explains things a bit. Basically, the
player goes back-and-forth to different time periods Mega Man style, and has
the ability to rewind time whenever their character dies. After rewinding, they
can switch to a different character (several wacky ones to choose from) and the
trick is that not only does the new character stay, the old, dead one does as
well. With just a few dies and restarts, the screen is full of friendly
"ghosts" who are all opening fire on the same boss, or laying waste
to the same area.

The writing is hilarious, there's a lot of really clever, interesting design
going on, and the graphics are stylized pixel art, which I think looks great. It
takes a little bit of time to wrap your head around the rewind mechanic, but
once you click into it, it's a much deeper, more sophisticated game than it
first appears.

Drakengard 3 (PSN):There are no words in human language that can fully
encapsulate how disappointing and terrible this game is. I was not a fan of the
previous two in the Drakengard series, but I am absolutely in love with Nier,
and knowing that D3 was from the same developers was all that was needed to
pique my curiosity. Unfortunately, while there are a few moments where hints of
a Nier-like flavor comes through, this game is generally terrible in all
aspects.

The story has chaotic mood swings between being totally serious, being absurd,
breaking the fourth wall, and everything in between. It's a real mish-mash that
doesn't hit any correct notes, and it doesn't help that all of the characters
are intensely unlikable thanks to their general a-hole personalities and an
overall obsession with sex in ways that are neither appropriate, funny, clever,
or appealing.

Technically, it's a steaming pile with muddy PS2-era graphics,
a framerate that chugs harder than a desperate frat boy eager to impress, super-basic
camera problems,… Hell, you name it, and it’s bad.

The actual gameplay is miserable as well, coming off like a poor-man's Dynasty
Warriors that soon turns repetitive and intolerable. I have no idea why Square bothered
to bring this to America other than the fact that they knew Nier fans like
myself would jump at the chance to get another piece of work from that same
team, but these two projects couldn't be further apart. Avoid it all costs.

Of Orcs And Men (XBL,PSN,PC): Finished it last week. Ironically, although it
has technical problems the way that Drakengard does (although nowhere near as
severe) the writing is light-years better and the super-appealing character
work holds together. Fans of story in games, take note.

It was a great adventure on a small-scale, and my review’s
coming soon. Big thumbs UP.

Mind Zero (Vita): I heard nothing but bad things about this one from people who
had played the Japanese version, or people who "just knew" somehow,
but after watching videos on YouTube, I was convinced that I needed to give it
a try, and I'm glad that I did.

I'm about eight hours in, and so far it's best described as Persona-lite, but I
don't say that as a bad thing. I mean, if you’re going to steal, then still
from the best. That said, it's in no way a complete carbon copy, because it
varies in quite a few ways.

The biggest, most interesting thing about it is the combat system. It's a
little more complicated than I want to get into right now, but basically people
can have their "MIND" (basically a persona-like spirit) turn on or
off at will, and there are positives and negatives to being in either mode. The
game also has a few interesting spins during combat, mostly in the way it
manages three different resources that fuel abilities. It doesn't feel at all
like the combat in Persona although it may appear similar on the surface, and I
definitely appreciate what it’s got going on.

At the moment, my characters are trying to figure out what's going on with their
world, having recently discovered a spirit realm that is somehow connected, in
addition to a vaguely Team Rocket-ish squad of MIND users who are gonna end up being
The Bad Guys . The story isn’t mind blowing but it's definitely good enough to
keep the action going so far, and the art style is solid.

I've enjoyed my time with it so far and I’m still pushing
onwards despite the dungeons being a little too long and the encounter rate
being a little too high. Hopefully this won’t turn into a big problem.

Destiny Of Spirits (Vita): I haven't talked much about this free-to-play from
Sony but I've been chipping away at it for about a half an hour every day before
bed, and although it's really low-rent and kind of boring, there is a certain
charm to it.

In this game, the player must collect spirits found using the Vita’s GPS
functions, as well as more commonly summoned with currency earned in the game.
There are the usual elemental attributes to deal with (fire beats water, etc.)
and there are a wide variety of supporting skills that characters have.

It's not really that this game is that good in any one aspect, but the
elements come together to create an experience that's satisfying for a few
minutes at a time, although I can see many places where the developers can improve.
Specifically, I'm getting to a point in the game where the enemies are of a
much higher level than I am, and I can't level up the characters that I have.
Without access to better characters through random summons or buying them, it
seems as though I'm going to hit a wall of difficulty that I won't be able to
get past, but we’ll see.

If nothing else, I hope the developers take this template
and make a more polished sequel that addresses some of my issues.

Movies: The wife and I went to go see Captain America: The Winter Soldier the
other day, and I have to say that all of the hype surrounding it was definitely
justified.

The performances were strong, the story was actually much
deeper and more interesting than I expected, and action sequences were
fantastic. Also: The Falcon is cool as hell in that film. We enjoyed it from
start to finish, and it comes totally recommend it if you haven't seen it
already. After so many years of crappy comic book movies, it's amazing to get
so many that are of such a quality lately.

inXile Entertainment announced an end of August launch
window for Wasteland 2, one of the most successfully crowd funded
projects/video games of all-time and sequel to the critically acclaimed smash
hit Wasteland and the post-apocalyptic predecessor to
the Fallout® series. In addition to the end of August launch window
announcement, inXile Entertainment has released the entire Arizona portion of
the game via the Wasteland 2early access beta, which is only available
at http://store.steampowered.com/app/240760/.

The highly anticipated, post-apocalyptic
turn-based Wasteland 2 offers an alternative history. America lays
lifeless in the hot ashes and radioactive embers of a deadly nuclear holocaust
and players must take command of an elite squad of desert Rangers, formed in
the time-honoured tradition of the Texas and Arizona Rangers. Setting out
across post-apocalyptic and treacherous landscapes players try to help the last
remaining remnants of humanity in their struggle for survival against hordes of
desperate bandits, insane criminals, decaying mutants and much worse.

Developed by an amazing team of RPG pioneers that
include Brian Fargo and Chris Avellone and with a musical score composed by the
legendary Mark Morgan, Wasteland 2 is a return to form for RPGs
because it actually provides options and choices. Options allow players to make
fundamental choices in customization and character creation throughout the
game’s role-playing progression with decisions that carry consequences and
impact a living world.

Wasteland 2’s early access beta mode, which GameSpot called
“one of the best post-apocalyptic role-playing games to emerge in a long time,”
is available on the Steam store http://store.steampowered.com/app/240760/.
End of August marks the launch window for the full game, available for PC, Mac
and Linux gamers.

Players: Single player campaign, 2-4 player local co-op
and versus modes

Release: Summer 2014

Rating: T for Teen - Blood, Violence, Mild Language

Synopsis
Discover the lost treasures of Ukampa in South America as Aban Hawkins searches
for his estranged father, world-famous archaeologist Jim Hawkins. Before the
elder Hawkins mysteriously disappeared, he entrusted his daughter Tina with a
map to the location of the ruins with a grave warning that death awaits around
every corner.

Aban Hawkins races into the frozen tundra of the antarctic, undiscovered temple
ruins, and the vast caverns of South America in search of his father and the
legendary treasure rumored to lie behind the Golden Door of Poko-Mum.

Game Features

Tough-as-nails difficulty

Pixel-perfect, razor-sharp controls

Clever-yet-insidious game design

Single and simultaneous 2-4 player co-op and vs.
multiplayer!

8-bit inspired visuals with current gen flare

Soundtrack by Misoka and Rushjet1

Over a dozen unlockable characters with different abilities,
some as featured friends from other games

4A Games and Deep Silver are bringing the iconic and
award-winning Metro series to the next generation: Metro
Redux features fully re-mastered and improved versions of both Metro
2033 and Metro: Last Light, creating the most compelling Metro
experience ever. Upon release, Metro 2033 Redux and Metro: Last
Light Redux will each be available separately as a digital download for
Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft,
PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and PC for $24.99. Alongside the
digital release, a boxed compilation containing both games, Metro
Redux will be available at retail for a suggested $49.99.

With new, never-seen-before content and new gameplay features, as well as
outstanding updated graphical fidelity and silky smooth 60FPS
gameplay, Metro Redux is much more than a simple HD upgrade.

For the Redux edition, Metro 2033 has been completely overhauled:

The original game has been rebuilt in the latest and greatest iteration of
the 4A Engine, bringing all the graphical and gameplay improvements
from Metro: Last Light to Metro 2033 Redux

Enjoy completely re-mastered visuals: advanced lighting, dynamic weather,
more detailed characters with improved animation, more dynamic destruction and
improved smoke, fire and particle effects
Metro: Last Light Redux has also received a graphical facelift and
gameplay improvements that carry across both titles, including new melee
animations, and the fan-requested Check
Watch and Check Inventory features. It
also includes all previously released Season Pass add-on content  a further 10 hours of
single-player gameplay.

With Metro Redux, players now have the choice to experience both Metro
games the way they want with the introduction of two unique Play Styles.Those who favored the more survival horror oriented gameplay of Metro
2033 can play both campaigns in the Survival
Play Style, a fraught slow-burn fight for survival with limited resources,
deadlier enemy AI, and slower reload speeds. Those who enjoyed the more action
oriented gameplay of Metro: Last Light can try the Spartan Play Style, providing
Artyom with a powerful set of combat skills and more plentiful resources. In addition, the legendary Ranger Mode returns to both games, providing the
most immersive and challenging experience as the HUD is stripped away and
hardcore rules apply.

Dedicated Linux and SteamOS versions will also release later this year.

Metro Redux is based on the internationally bestselling novel Metro
2033 by Dmitry Glukhovsky.

Hyrule Warriors, the imaginative upcoming game for
the Wii U console, combines the action-packed game play of
Tecmo Koei’s Dynasty Warriors series with the iconic characters and
worlds from The Legend of Zelda series. In addition to the focused
action game play of leading one soldier against a massive horde of enemies,
theDynasty Warriors series is also known for its epic storyline. In this
game, players control Link as he faces a powerful new enemy – the evil
sorceress Cia – and her army to rescue the captive Princess Zelda. For the
first time ever, Princess Zelda’s loyal Hyrulean Captain Impa makes her debut
as a playable character. Impa equips a huge sword and can perform powerful
combos to defeat enemies. Many other surprising playable characters make
appearances in Hyrule Warriors, and each playable character will have
signature weapons and action animations.

Hyrule Warriors, the imaginative upcoming game for the Wii U
console, combines the action-packed game play of Tecmo Koei's Dynasty Warriors
series with the iconic characters and worlds from The Legend of Zelda series.

The first stage of the game takes place in Hyrule Field, a
location that will be very familiar to fans of The Legend of
Zelda series. The game-play structure of most of the stages bears a close
resemblance to the Dynasty Warriorgames, so Hyrule Warriors is a
game that can truly be enjoyed by fans of both The Legend of
Zelda and theDynasty Warrior series. Players must defend or reclaim
areas by fighting against hordes of enemies and using different types of flashy
and powerful moves. Players will encounter new enemies such as Sorceress Cia,
but some familiar enemies like Bokoblins and Lizalfos from The Legend of
Zeldaseries will also appear in the game.

XSEED Games, the independent-minded console publishing
brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., today confirmed STORY OF SEASONS will
be released exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS in North America this winter.
Developed by the veteran team behind the fan-favorite Bokujo Monogatari series
and headed by longtime lead producer, Yoshifumi Hashimoto, STORY OF
SEASONS represents a new beginning for the beloved series which has seen
dozens of entries and sold close to ten million copies worldwide.

Released under the title Bokujo Monogatari: Tsunagaru
Shintenchi in Japan earlier this year, which literally translates as Farm
Story: Connect to a New World, STORY OF SEASONS carries on the iconic
life simulation and farming RPG gameplay made famous through the Bokujo
Monogatari series’ 18-year history while infusing new and exciting
features into the experience, marking a key milestone for the franchise. Fans
will appreciate the evolution seen inSTORY OF SEASONS as the game retains
its signature style while adapting and strengthening its offerings through the
formation of this new IP.

Players will create a fully customizable character,
selecting gender, hair style and facial features as desired. They will then
take on their role as the newest resident of Oak Tree Town, a small settlement
filled with promises of new beginnings, hard work and significant
relationships. In the process of tending to crops, animals and the many other
aspects of everyday farming life, players will amass the resources necessary to
customize and expand their farms – from livestock and seeds to décor and layout
– granting total freedom to shape their homestead as they wish and fit
virtually any play style.

In STORY OF SEASONS, traditional farm-building
mechanics are combined with all-new multiplayer and StreetPass connectivity,
granting players the ability to tour one another’s farms, cultivate crops
together and even exchange gifts. Further adding to the roster of new elements, STORY
OF SEASONS has decorative items available from the Super Mario Bros.
franchise, including Super Mushroom, Fire Flower and Super Star.

Developed in Japan by MarvelousAQL, STORY OF SEASONS will
be published in North America by XSEED Games, and will be released in winter
exclusively for Nintendo 3DS. STORY OF SEASONS will make its US debut
at the E3 2014 expo in XSEED Games’ West Hall booth #5436.